Rockstar Games has kicked off another enticing sale on Steam, offering fans significant discounts on some of its most beloved titles, just in time for the Lunar New Year celebrations. Gamers can buy Grand Theft Auto V and several of its predecessors at prices slashed by up to 80%, making this one of the best opportunities for fans to either relive classic moments or experience them for the first time.
The Steam sale is live until February 6, 2025, and features top titles like GTA 5, which is currently at 40% off, and Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition at a staggering 70% off. Other popular games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 (80% off) and Bully: Scholarship Edition (65% off) are also part of this sale. Overall, the discounts span the Rockstar catalog, entailing both classics and more recent blockbusters, ensuring something for every type of player.
While players gear up to grab these deals, Rockstar also recently rolled out the highly anticipated Lunar New Year update for GTA Online on January 23, 2025. This update brings fresh content aimed at rekindling interest within the multiplayer community. Among the highlights are new race events – described as Lunar New Year Stunt Races – and collectible challenges, which add depth to gameplay.
The new Stunt Race events boast fiery visuals, blending ramps with beautifully lit paper lanterns, giving players something exhilarating to experience. Only three courses were introduced, known as "The Big Bash," "Lap of Honor," and "Spectacle," but they are part of Rockstar's focused approach to delivering high-quality content rather than merely increasing quantity.
Accompanying these races are collectible Yuanbao scattered throughout Los Santos. Players who find these collectibles will earn $888 for each piece and, with luck, can claim a total of $88,888 and the limited Gold Snake Santo Capra Outfit, adding yet another incentive to explore the vast game world.
While excitement builds for these updates, recent events caused some uproar among modding communities. The YouTube channel for Vice City: Nextgen Edition, which aimed to port the classic game Vice City onto the GTA 4 engine, was taken down by Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company. Obbe Vermeij, a former Rockstar developer, weighed in on the situation, stating, "Take2/R* are a commercial company. They will take down mods…" Vermeij's comments highlight the delicate balance between protecting intellectual property and nurturing the enthusiastic modding community.
The developer emphasized the competitive nature of modding, noting how the Vice City mod interfered with Rockstar's own remaster offerings. Vermeij explained, "There's no point getting angry about it. This is what companies are supposed to do." This sentiment resonates within industry discussions on modding, where some companies, like Bethesda, often take a lenient approach, allowing fans to create mods without excessive restrictions.
Despite removing the mod's YouTube presence, the creators pivoted quickly, announcing their project had been transformed to run independently. They remarked, "Initially, the modification was planned to require the original game... Now, it is fully autonomous." This adaptation not only demonstrates the resilience of the modding community but also exposes the delicate dynamics at play when it intersects with corporate interests.
Online reactions have been mixed to these developments. Some players cherished the Lunar New Year update, exclaiming it felt rejuvenated and refreshing, echoing sentiments like, "Jumping through ramps and going through lanterns with fireworks is truly worth experiencing," reflecting their eagerness for new content. Others lamented the challenges facing modders, calling for more leniency from companies like Rockstar.
Rockstar Games has certainly found itself at the crossroads of addressing the community's expectations and their commercial interests, particularly as players eagerly anticipate the much-debated Grand Theft Auto VI, set for release later this year. The gaming community is watching closely as Rockstar continues to evolve its approach and navigate the murky waters of game development and fan engagement.
With significant sales on offer, engaging online content, and discussions about modding practices, the coming weeks will be pivotal for Rockstar as it strives to maintain its relevance amid the changing gaming narrative. Players have much to look forward to, whether through embracing sales or enjoying the fresh features added to GTA Online.